Hello friends! Welcome back! 😊 In my last post, I discussed the importance of recycling and proper disposal of e-waste. However, in combating the issue of e-waste, I believe that recycling should not be our only solution. We must first tackle the root cause of the problem – the rising amount of e-waste generated.
So, why are more and more e-waste generated each year?
For one, technology is advancing at a rapid pace. While we benefit from faster networks and the internet, the environment suffers. As newer and better electronics are made, older devices become obsolete. Let me give you an example – mobile networks. The 3G network was widely adopted in the early 2000s, followed by a progression to 4G network in 2010s, and now, only 10 years later, we are advancing to 5G network. Older devices incapable of supporting newer networks will become outdated soon, and thus thrown away. Following this trend, every 10 years, as technology advances, more and more outdated electronics will be discarded, and fill up our overflowing landfills.
Another reason is planned obsolescence. In my survey, I asked the respondents for the reasons they change their electrical devices.
It seems that many change their devices because they start to slow down or lag often. This reminded me of the concept of planned obsolescence, defined by Oxford as
A policy of producing consumer goods that rapidly become obsolete and so require replacing, achieved by frequent changes in design, termination of the supply of spare parts, and the use of non-durable materials.
Electronics companies like Apple and Samsung are under fire for purposely slowing down their devices and making it difficult to repair, forcing consumers to buy their newer products. These companies that use such tactics just to drive up sales goes to show that for some large corporations, the environment is a trade-off they are willing to make for their own economic profit.
But the future is not bleak! Organisations and governments are actively tackling this e-waste problem. Right to Repair is an environmentalist group that advocates for the ability to repair. Check out this video that summarises their mission and vision.
Some governments have imposed fines on some electronics companies that were found guilty of planned obsolescence. Locally, the Resource Sustainability Act (RSA) was elicited in 2019 which involves the private sector in tackling e-waste, packaging, and food waste. I think that such efforts by organisations and governments are steps in the right direction in conserving the environment, and we as individuals, should play our part in reducing the amount of e-waste generated. One of my coursemate Si Ying commented on my previous post that she usually sells her used electronics on Carousell – a buy and sell platform, which was an option that never crossed my mind before. I looked through the app and found that there are many Singaporeans selling their used electronics. I even found people selling used cash registers and lights!
Well, I will definitely consider selling my used but still functional electronics on Carousell next time!
With that, I will be ending my series of posts on e-waste here. Next week, I will be discussing another aspect of technology and its relationship with the environment, so stay tuned!
Cheers
Alicia 😊
Hi Alicia!
I’m happy to have opened up another option for you to deal with used but still functional electronics instead of going straight to recycling them!
I didn’t know that some electronic companies deliberately shorten the lifespan of their products in order to get customers to buy new ones more often. It is upsetting that companies are willing to use such a devious and deceitful strategy just to increase their profits. Do you think planned obsolescence is prevalent among local businesses selling electronics or any other products in Singapore? Do you think the government should implement regulations to prevent local companies from undertaking such tactics?
– Si Ying
Hi Si Ying! Thank you for reading my blog! While I could not find much information online about local electronics companies using such strategies to increase sales, I believe that it is prevalent in Singapore. Many Singaporean imports electronics from foreign companies. I had an additional question in my survey where I asked the respondents which phone brand they are using and 77% of them use Apple and Samsung combined, which have been accused of planned obsolescence. And yes, I believe that the government should tackle this problem. They could impose fines if electronics companies are proven guilty of planned obsolescence or have measures to ensure that electronic products sold in the market will not spoil/slow down quickly and can be easily repaired.
Hi Alicia,
If I could share 2 stories…
Late in 2019, NUS advised all users that if our computers run on Windows 7, we wouldn’t be able to access the network. My trusty laptop, which I’d been happily using since 2012 was working fine, but would have to be replaced because it was effectively too old to upgrade to Windows 10 (I gather due to the capacity of the components). So I had to buy a new (refurbished) laptop. Blow # 1.
Blow # 2 came during lockdown. I had an iphone 5, which I’d bought used, and despite many ppl mocking me for having such an old mobile and it couldn’t handle some apps, I was happy. Until it suddenly and spectacularly died. As in, couldn’t turn it on at all. Because of the CB, I couldn’t go meet someone from Carousell to buy another used one and couldn’t get it repaired. No choice but to buy a brand new mobile. My 1st new phone in 15 yrs.
The issues you describe not only contribute to the e-waste issue, which is hugely problematic, but also put a major dent in my wallet (which I didn’t appreciate at all) and forced me to engage in needless consumerism. Fortunately, I have a good job and, even though I didn’t want to spend the money, I was able to afford it. But what about the majority of ppl who can’t afford to deal with planned obsolescence ? It occurs to me that there’s a justice problem here as well. You know ?
Hi Dr Coleman! Yes, I agree that planned obsolescence has a larger impact on those with lower socio-economic statuses. Your stories reminded me of a fundraiser I saw recently. An organisation was asking for donations to buy mobile phones or donations of preloved phones for foreign migrant construction workers. Many of them were using outdated models with no QR code scanner but after lockdown, they have to use phones with QR scanner function to be able to use SafeEntry to resume working, or they will not have income. It is really disheartening to see that people’s welfare and the environment are at the mercy of these large cooperations that prioritise profit. Hopefully, with stricter government regulation and efforts by organisations (like Right to Repair), we will be able to create a more just and greener future.
Hi Alicia,
Thanks for your reply. Now that I read it, I realise that I would’ve had a tough time because my old iPhone probably wouldn’t have been able to handle the NUS app.
And reflecting more deeply, you suggest that it’s manufacturers at fault. But what about when other businesses, e.g., NUS, the government by requiring citizens to use various apps, that essentially make owning a smart phone a prerequisite to living in a place? Meaning, might there be a bigger problem here ?
jc
Hi Dr Coleman! I personally faced this problem recently too, when NUS implemented a new hostel dining app to collect my meals at the hall that I am currently residing at. The app is unfortunately incompatible with my Android ver 6 phone making it more inconvenient for me to collect my meals every day. After reading your insight, I do agree that there is a bigger problem; as society advances and adopt new practices (in this case newer technology), some groups of people (in most cases those with lower income) may inadvertently get left behind. Currently, the only way I can think of to alleviate this problem is with help of more fortunate groups in the society to help the less fortunate to not be left behind, allowing society to be able to progress and benefit from advancements as a whole – just like the fundraiser I mentioned earlier!